Glossary · Function

Makerspace

Print then Cut

Print first, then cut: a normal printer prints the design with marks, then the plotter cuts it out along the contours.

Explained in more detail

An inkjet printer prints the design together with registration marks at the edge. The plotter reads these marks with an optical sensor, detects the exact position of the sheet and cuts along the contours. This produces coloured stickers, labels and tags. Cricut calls the function Print Then Cut, Silhouette calls it Print & Cut. The possible design size is limited because the marks need space at the edge; the exact dimensions depend on the software and paper size.

Where does the term come from?

The name describes the order: print first, then cut. The printed marks are called registration marks, a term from printing technology.

In practice

• In the print dialogue, choose the original size, not "fit to page", otherwise the marks and design no longer match.
• Glossy or laminated sheets can dazzle the sensor, while matt paper can be read more reliably.
• If the cuts are always offset in the same direction, run the Print then Cut calibration in the software.
• A little bleed around the design prevents white edges if the cut is slightly offset.

Not to be confused

Print then Cut is not scanning: the Brother ScanNCut reads a design with a built-in scanner. With Print then Cut, the plotter already knows the design and only looks for the marks.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special printer for Print then Cut?

No, an ordinary inkjet printer is enough. What matters is that it prints at original size and the markers appear clean and high-contrast.